TROY — Mayor Harry Tutunjian's political career began in 1996 when, as a new homeowner, he was staggered by a 21 percent city property-tax hike.

"I started paying attention to city government and city politics," Tutunjian recalled Wednesday.

His taste for politics grew when he won a silent auction for a 1997 Valentine's Day lunch with state Sen. Joseph L. Bruno, R-Brunswick, at Jack's Oyster House in Albany.

Tutunjian narrowly won election to the City Council in 1999, then as City Council president in 2001. At the end of his second four-year term as mayor, Tutunjian is leaving reluctantly on Saturday, forced out of office by term limits.

"I met the President. I'm a first generation American," the Armenian-American mayor said.

Tutunjian didn't anticipate becoming mayor, which he said has "rock-star status" among the city's schoolchildren and a far lower regard among his opponents.

Tutunjian's eight years have been marked by controversies and achievement. He's been called thin skinned and combative by friends and foes, but acknowledged for loyalty and perseverance.

More Information

Tutunjian said taking the helm in 2003 left him confronting a city where "They heard it all but they had never seen it all."

His task starting in his first term was to show not only city residents, but the Capital Region that Troy was vital and improving. Instituting the Action Team in public works to ensure trash was picked up and streets cleaned, the mayor said, was the first step.

"There seems to be tremendous change in creating excitement for the city," said Councilman Bill Dunne, the Democrat representing downtown, who is the only councilman to serve eight years with Tutunjian as mayor.

That includes the introduction of festivals such as Chowderfest and The Troy Pig Out. On the economic development front, the city has seen $110 million in private investment and 1,100 new jobs. His passion for barbecuing helped bring Dinosaur BBQ to the city.

Dunne said Tutunjian also has succeeded in following Democratic Mayor Mark Pattison in keeping the city's finances balanced.

Tutunjian's eight budgets included three that carried no tax hike.

But much of Tutunjian's second term was spent battling with the Democratic-controlled City Council, which over the last two years had five of its nine Democratic members under investigation for absentee-ballot fraud.

"Poor communications," Dunne said, summing up the relationship. Nowhere was that demonstrated more that the still-unresolved fight of where city hall should be.

Tutunjian obtained state funds to knock down the old city hall at 1 Monument Square on the Hudson River. City government relocated to the former Verizon Building at 1776 Sixth Ave., which Tutunjian originally proposed getting by swapping it for the old city hall site. Some members of the council wanted to move to the city-owned Dauchy building.

Republican Councilman Mark McGrath, who supported the mayor on some issues but confronted him on others, said, "Harry is an honest man who really did a great job."

Tutunjian leaves office with the prospect that he will be appointed to fill the Rensselaer County Legislature seat vacated by Lou Rosamilia, his Democratic successor as mayor. Tutunjian hasn't ruled out running for other offices, including a return as mayor in 2015.

He shuttered the family's auto body business when he became mayor. He's leaving his $95,000 post without firm plans. He may get back into the auto business or invest in developing properties in the city.

Considered a hands-on mayor, Tutunjian responded to police and fire calls and even plowed snow. He said the one thing he didn't do was pick up the garbage.